Let the Silver Stars shine: Duffee, Martin, Daniels

In her college days, Edwina Martin’s long black braided hair, swung back and forth, just as she swung from shooting hoops to hitting spikes across the volleyball net. In classrooms and with her teammates, the young athlete absorbed valuable health education skills, practices she would use and teach to others throughout her life.

Martin earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Florida A & M University, did additional studies at FSU and earned a professional degree in special health education from the University of Connecticut.

Her passion to inspire creativity in young people drove her to spend 48 years teaching in public schools and at her alma mater, FAMU. Perhaps the most enriching work during her career as a professor were during three summers at the Pentagon. “It was a beautiful experience,” Martin says. “I researched women’s activities and those of the ‘special population’ (today called disabled).”

She also earned a reputation as a tasteful chef and event planner through the many weddings she’s planned and baked goods she’s made from scratch – a successful business she managed from her own kitchen!

The 2015 Silver Star recalls that her grandmother noticed how diligently she cared for flowers and advised that “as long as I loved and treated people like I did those flowers, I’d be ok.” Martin says, “between loving others and maintaining a good relationship with the Lord, I’ve been able to stay peaceful and happy.”

Today, Martin teaches exercise classes three times a week at Jack L. McLean Community Center, and is actively involved in Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, Red Hatters Society, and FAMU Ladies Art and Social Club. A lifelong member at Philadelphia Primitive Baptist Church, Martin finds herself involved in many ministries.

She shares with younger people, “don’t let fear keep you from going after opportunities. If you take the chance, these experiences can deeply enrich your life – much as they have mine.”

Ed Duffee, Jr., 77 – he’s first on the list

From legal work to community involvement to crossword puzzles, Ed Duffee, Jr., always looks for solutions. Duffee’s friends and family know they’ll always find a crossword within reach, part of his daily practice to help keep his mind sharp. His determination to find solutions isn’t limited to challenging puzzles, but stands evident in his accomplishments.

After graduating from Florida A & M University, Duffee enlisted in the U.S. Army, spending three years traveling both domestically and abroad. While stationed in Germany, he realized his desire was to become a lawyer.

In 1965, Duffee graduated first in his class from Florida A&M’s law school and landed a job with Florida’s then-Secretary of State, Tom Adams. Duffee proudly claims the distinction of being the first African-American since Reconstruction to work in a professional position in the Capitol. He was also the first African-American to hold an instructor position at the Florida State University College of Law.

Duffee’s sense of justice is evident from his career choices. He established his own law firm, was a founding member of the Tallahassee Urban League, and served as member of a Judicial Nominating Commission, an administrative judge and an unemployment fraud prosecutor.

Even after his retirement in 2004, Duffee remains active in the community. He serves on the board for Miracle Hill Nursing Home, stays busy with Omega Psi Phi fraternity, the NAACP, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the Tallahassee Senior Foundation, which he served as president for two terms.

In his free time he enjoys fishing, farming vegetables and spending time with his family, and he is a deacon at St. Mary’s Primitive Baptist Church. He and his wife Alberta have a son and a daughter.

Duffee has established a strong legacy for young minority professionals to follow. He encourages younger individuals to never take shortcuts. “Be diligent and see it through,” he says.

Dottie Daniels, 78, searching to serve

Dottie Daniels knows that if you want to help others, you can’t always wait for them to come to you. Sometimes you have to go out and bring your generous spirit to them. Almost three decades ago, Daniels turned tragedy into inspired commitment to others. As a result, she is now widely known as “the bread lady,” helping our community’s neediest residents make it to another day.

Daniels left the mountains of North Carolina for Tampa back in the ’50s. There she met her husband and together they moved to Tallahassee. They each had two children, and this expanded Daniels family became her whole world. Sadly, in 1986 she lost one of her beloved children. But instead of letting her heart be filled with despair, she filled it with people.

On her journey to turn sadness into something positive, Daniels began volunteering at a homeless center. Noticing that the pantry was stocked only with PB&J, she became determined to fill the void by founding Agape Food Ministry. For the past 20 years, she has provided food to those in low-income neighborhoods. Together as a partnership with Publix, she picks up bread and delivers it to numerous apartment complexes and neighborhoods four times a week. She serves others through affiliations with the Big Bend Homeless Coalition, Lighthouse Children’s Home, Westgate, CARE Ministry and Good Samaritan Ministry.

Daniels actively seeks people to help. With the support of an outstanding team, she goes into the woods and visits tent communities populated with those less fortunate, bringing food and clothing and sometimes even taking them to the doctor for check-ups. She similarly extends a helping hand to the elderly, ensuring that even the simplest tasks receive the attention they need.

Each relationship Daniels forms is unique and special, and she is working to pass her philosophy to the next generation. She tells others, “Always make yourself available to minister to the less fortunate. Because each circumstance is different, be careful not to judge.”